The Dorsal Fin

Boston’s WHDH reports that swimmers have been warned to stay at least 300′ away from seal colonies. The large seal population in the area is believed to be responsible for the increase in white shark sightings over recent years, as the seals are a natural prey item for the shark.

The warning comes after multiple credible white shark sightings were reported in the area over the past week, as well as reports of seal carcass sightings.

NECN.com is reporting that three great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) sightings have been reported in the Cape Cod area, including two sightings off Chatham, Massachusetts. NECN also reports that interest in the sharks has resulted in an increase in tourism in the area. Tourists are visiting Cape Cod beaches in hopes of catching a glimpse of a white shark. Local businesses have been trying to capitalize on the interest in the sharks by carrying shark-related products.

All in all a fairly objective report on the great white shark presence in Cape Cod, if you ignore the cliché “Jaws” reference from the anchorwoman.

According the AP, three more great white sharks were tagged yesterday (09/08/09) off of Monomoy Island near Chatham, Massachusetts. This brings the total number of white sharks tagged to five, in the past week (two great white sharks were tagged in the area on Saturday). Several Chatham beaches continued to remain closed due to the presence of the great white sharks in the area.

CBS news also reported on this story, but they apparently could not resist the temptation to play up the "Jaws" angle, as seen in the video segment below.

From a shark research standpoint, the tagging of five white sharks in the Atlantic is exciting news. Hopefully, the data acquired as a result of the taggings will lead to more insight into migratory behaviors of Atlantic-bound great white sharks.